The other day I was reading a news article bringing to light the possible removal of commissaries. It’s a little early for anyone to say for certain what will happen, but I know the military community took a deep breath hearing this news.

Most families take advantage of this benefit.  Though we understand cuts have to come from somewhere it doesn’t seem right that our government would choose such widely used benefit? I try not to get too worked up because in the big scheme of things if we lose our savings at the commissaries our family will figure something out.

I know my God will provide.

While our community has adjusted to budget cuts this past year it can be hard to hear about one more thing to possibly go.   There have been many people outside the military who think it’s just wrong.  I can’t tell you how much we appreciate that support!

Even though our families knew there would be sacrifices along the way, this year many of us were carrying extra weight while our government couldn’t agree on a budget.  Yes, they voiced their concern too and thought it was unfair but it became awfully political while military service members and their families were caught in the crossfire.

I’m not trying to write a plea for you to feel bad, we’ve actually worked things out and I look around to see some amazing people serving our country.  We have good leaders among the ranks of all branches of service.  I’m sure you knew that though. This community holds each other together and it’s a blessing to have that support.

But sometimes a group of people come along from outside our community to say, ‘We also have your back’.  That means the world to our families. Today we were given a special gift as a military family and i’m so happy about it!

Our local MWR put on this wonderful event.  It was made possible by Trees for Troops, USAA, FedEx, and the University of Phoenix Military Division.

They gave military families a Christmas Tree!

How awesome is that?

What a special gift!  I know this is blessing so many families right now and we’re all saying a huge thank you!

Thank you for organizing and providing these beautiful Christmas trees.  We are grateful for all the effort that went into planning and delivering.

Tonight we are trimming ours, watching Christmas movies, and enjoying time together.

Until next time!

Laura

*I was not paid to write about this or even asked to. I’m just a really thankful military spouse wanting to share about this wonderful event.  If you want to find out more about this organization, read more about Christmas Spirit Foundation by clicking…here.

Over the last few months I have been a part of the writing team with Christian Military Wives. Today I’m sharing a devotional for the month of December!

There are always great articles being written for military wives and each one has been a source of encouragement for me.

Join me over there today as we talk about the importance of our Savior.. {Click Picture Below}

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How was your Thanksgiving? Hopefully the  time with loved ones was time well spent.

We were visiting family and stayed for my niece’s first birthday party.  I’m glad we are close enough to make it to family gatherings again.

We were up most of last night with our very sick little boy. He has laid on the couch all morning and i’ve been catching up on all the dirty laundry from our trip and the stuff he threw up on.  That’s always fun!  I love that God wired a mom to nurture.

Anyways, I should finish up some more work.  My stomach has felt sick all morning and I’m waiting for my turn to be sick.  Hopefully this week i’ll be able to share some pictures and stories from our Thanksgiving weekend.

Until next time,

Laura

Excuse me,

I’m waving my hand over to the woman who is on her first load of laundry today. Also to the one who has cleaned her house all week and  is currently enjoying a Saturday free of work. (Does that exist?)

Pull up a chair for a minute?

I’m thinking about you today as I make this grocery list and menu for the coming week.  We women are creative with our systems, and the neat thing is they don’t have to be the same to be effective. It’s what works best for our families.

You’re pretty amazing if you didn’t know.

This week you managed to keep an entire home and family running.  It doesn’t matter if you served pizza three nights this week or whipped up delicious, made-from-scratch meals. You’re still inspiring.

I want to write powerful life-changing words but you’re exhausted and i’ll keep it simple…

This year you planned birthday parties, events for the kids, took countless trips to and from their school, and made sure meals were there, laundry was folded, and homework was finished. There was much effort in coordinating all the logistics with the extra curricular activities and how the evenings and weekends would run smooth. You woke up in the middle of the night to clean up after a sick child, and made sure everyone maintained a pleasant attitude in public places. (Well at least you tried!)

Even though we each come from unique homes of our own, can we admit our work is cut out for us?

If we don’t have enough to take on as it is, we also have an enemy that devises plans to destroy us through the well crafted lie that we are insignificant.  How often do we believe it?

If ever there comes a time you feel like it’s all too much and you’re barely hanging on remember this..

In the Lord I take refuge. Psalm 11:1

We’re training up our children, and as my sister-in-law told me this week, that’s a calling placed on our lives by God.  How special that we’re blessed with families.  Even on the hardest days of dealing with behavior issues, I remind myself that this is a gift.

I hope you enjoy your afternoon and if you ever need to be told how awesome you really are, we’ll talk again!

You are valuable, loved, a hard-worker, creative, and one of a kind! What a privileged to know so many of you and admire you over the years.

Until next time,

Laura